The Official 2021 NBA Draft Talk Thread

[The D-List Vet]

Not arguing if he is soft or not, but he could just prefer the Cavs situation to the Rockets. The Cavs have young pieces that fit better around him if the goal is for him to be PF. The Rockets are more of a mess right now, and I don’t like Mobley’s fit next to Wood. They are too similar.


Flip side none of the top draft teams outside the Raptors are a good situation for Green and he there never really was a chance he could go fourth.

nikka you don't fukking draft for fit you draft BPA and no team with a good situation should be in the lottery.

 

[ISO]

nikka you don't fukking draft for fit you draft BPA

Not always

 

[Wargames]

nikka you don't fukking draft for fit you draft BPA and no team with a good situation should be in the lottery.

I’m sorry did you not understand the part where I inferred Mobley might not like the fit? I used my opinion but was saying it as an example why Mobley might not like it.


Yeah the Rockets might take him, but HE might not want to go there so HE chose not to work out for them.

Also yeah there are levels to being bad. The Cavs are in a better situation than Rockets. A lot more young talent and a weaker conference. Mobley might even make the playoffs on his rookie contract.

 

[The D-List Vet]

I’m sorry did you not understand the part where I inferred Mobley might not like the fit? I used my opinion but was saying it as an example why Mobley might not like it.


Yeah the Rockets might take him, but HE might not want to go there so HE chose not to work out for them.

Also yeah there are levels to being bad. The Cavs are in a better situation than Rockets. A lot more young talent and a weaker conference. Mobley might even make the playoffs on his rookie contract.

no the cavs are not after bron left cavs aint been shyt.

 

[The D-List Vet]

Green had 2 workouts for Detroit because he knew Detroit liked him, enough to even have them ponder it. It feels like Houston made up their mind a long time ago that it was either gonna be Green or move up for Cunningham.

Talent gap is not that big if after both his workouts the front office who were all on cade are like well maybe we should look at him. Detrioit just need to take Cade

 

[who_better_than_me]

Talent gap is not that big if after both his workouts the front office who were all on cade are like well maybe we should look at him. Detrioit just need to take Cade

Detroit ain’t entertaining Green like that. They did this to see if Bouston would offer a treasure chest of picks to trade up. If Houston ain’t interest they’re drafting Cade.


Mobley definitely had a chance to be drafted by Houston with a great workout. Mobley had a better chance of ending up in Houston. Than Green in Detroit. He shouldve found time for the workout.

 

[tremonthustler1]

@No Homo
@TR7
@surf
@AJtheOne

Make your Nets pick


In the meantime, Philly can make a selection ahead of Brooklyn @Leasy

 

[old pig]

@No Homo
@TR7
@surf
@AJtheOne

Make your Nets pick


In the meantime, Philly can make a selection ahead of Brooklyn @Leasy

breh I’m lost…am I in a league or something?

this the 2nd time you @ me to make a pick

I’m legit clueless

are folks doing a mock draft in anticipation of the real one?

*edit*

ok just read the OP…I have nothing…I don’t follow college ball/prospects anywhere near as much as I used to…not familiar with this draft class at all

 

[tremonthustler1]

 

[Max.]

[Woo] NBA Mock Draft 5.0: Latest Buzz, Rumors, and Projections

### Article - [NBA Mock Draft 5.0: Latest Buzz, Rumors, and Projections](NBA Mock Draft 5.0: Latest Buzz, Rumors, and Projections)

### Buzz & Rumors (Losing track of what's new & old so there might be info you already know):

* **Evan Mobley and the Rockets** - "While sources say the Rockets have been calling around to gauge trade possibilities involving the 2 pick, it feels more likely that they stand pat...League sources have indicated there is a level of disinterest within Evan Mobley’s camp regarding Houston as a destination, raising questions as to whether that potential marriage would be ideal for either side."

* **Raptors Interested in Acquiring Star Talent like Ben Simmons** - "Rival teams believe Toronto is interested in acquiring a star talent, with nobody on the roster deemed untouchable, and they have been among the teams most strongly connected to Ben Simmons."

* **Thunder Not Finding Success in Moving Up** - "Sources say the Thunder have made overtures about trading into the upper reaches of the draft, but so far have yet to gain serious traction...Although Oklahoma City is among the more tight-lipped front offices in the league, rival teams generally agree that Bouknight and Jonathan Kuminga are the two players most likely in the mix here if they stand pat...The Thunder have been connected to a wide range of players with their two picks in the teens, and have explored using one or both of Nos. 16 and 18 to move up into the lottery, sources said."

* **Jonathan Kuminga's Workouts** - "League sources say Kuminga has struggled to gain traction during the predraft process, and rival teams continue to speculate as to how far he might slip."

* **Magic Interested in Moving the 8th Pick** - "Rival teams believe Magic are interested in trading this pick in the right scenario, as they don’t necessarily need to add multiple rookies to their roster, and are likely to enter next season with a bit of a logjam in the rotation, barring subsequent moves."

* **Kings Have Serious Interest in Alperen Sengun** - "Sacramento has been shopping this pick around in attempts to improve the team, and has been linked heavily to Franz Wagner should he be available here. Sources say the Kings are also among the teams with serious interest in Sengün, who recently worked out in Sacramento."

* **Pelicans Trading the 10th + Eric Bledsoe** - "The Pelicans have been actively engaged in trade talks involving the No. 10 pick as they push to improve the roster and make the playoffs, sources said. Rival teams believe Eric Bledsoe could be on the move, with his salary inhibiting the team’s flexibility to make broader changes to the roster."

* **Spurs Interested in Moving Up to Top 10** - "Sources say the Spurs have angled to move up in the draft and into the top 10."

* **Davion Mitchell More Likely a Late-lottery Option** - "Mitchell has been strongly linked to the Pacers and Warriors as a late-lottery option, and is a good bet to come off the board at one of those two selections."

* **Chris Duarte, Davion Mitchell, Moses Moody, & Trey Murphy Competing for 14th** - "According to league sources, the Warriors brought in Duarte, Davion Mitchell, Moses Moody and Trey Murphy for a competitive two-on-two workout on Sunday, in an effort to get a better handle on their pending decision at No. 14."

* **Grizzlies Interested in Moving Up Into Lottery** - "The Grizzlies have explored trading up into the lottery, per sources, and are thought to be eyeing perimeter reinforcements in those scenarios."

* **Ziaire Williams (Somewhat) Improving His Stock** - "League sources believe he helped himself to some extent on the workout circuit—his combination of positional height, skill level, and shooting ability has always been tantalizing for scouts—but questions surrounding his injury history and lack of consistency dating back to high school may be what holds him back entering draft night."

* **Day'ron Sharpe Improving His Stock**: "League sources say he’s worked himself into great shape, has shot the ball well in workouts and has done well in interviews."

* **Jazz Looking to Move Off Salary by Using the 30th Pick**: "The Jazz are reportedly looking to move off salary, and could look to attach this pick to an unwanted contract in a trade that would further that pursuit."

______

### Mock Draft:


1. **Detroit Pistons**: Cade Cunningham

2. **Houston Rockets**: Jalen Green

3. **Cleveland Cavaliers**: Evan Mobley

4. **Toronto Raptors**: Jalen Suggs

5. **Orlando Magic**: Scottie Barnes

6. **Oklahoma City Thunder**: James Bouknight

7. **Golden State Warriors**: Jonathan Kuminga

8. **Orlando Magic**: Franz Wagner

9. **Sacramento Kings**: Alperen Sengun

10. **New Orleans Pelicans**: Josh Giddey

11. **Charlotte Hornets**: Kai Jones

12. **San Antonio Spurs**: Corey Kispert

13. **Indiana Pacers**: Davion Mitchell

14. **Golden State Warriors**: Chris Duarte

15. **Washington Wizards**: Moses Moody

16. **Oklahoma City Thunder**: Keon Johnson

17. **Memphis Grizzlies**: Trey Murphy III

18. **Oklahoma City Thunder**: Jalen Johnson

19. **New York Knicks**: Isaiah Jackson

20. **Atlanta Hawks**: Ziaire Williams

21. **New York Knicks (via Mavericks)**: Usman Garuba

22. **Los Angeles Lakers**: Jared Butler

23. **Houston Rockets**: Day'Ron Sharpe

24. **Houston Rockets**: Joshua Primo

25. **Los Angeles Clippers**: Nah'Shon 'Bones' Hyland

26. **Denver Nuggets**: Cam Thomas

27. **Brooklyn Nets**: Miles McBride

28. **Philadelphia 76ers**: Tre Mann

29. **Phoenix Suns**: Jaden Springer

30. **Utah Jazz**: Quentin Grimes

31. **Milwaukee Bucks**: Josh Christopher

32. **New York Knicks**: Sharife Cooper

33. **Orlando Magic**: Isaiah Todd

34. **Oklahoma City Thunder**: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

35. **New Orleans Pelicans**: Joel Ayayi

36. **Oklahoma City Thunder**: Ayo Dosunmu

37. **Detroit Pistons**: JT Thor

38. **Chiacgo Bulls**: Jason Preston

39. **Sacaramento Kings**: Juhann Begarin

40. **New Orleans Pelicans**: Kessler Edwards

41. **San Antonio Spurs**: BJ Boston

42. **Detroit Pistons**: Joe Wieskamp

43. **New Orleans Pelicans**: Rokas Jokubaitis

44. **Brooklyn Nets**: Charles Bassey

45. **Boston Celtics**: Austin Reaves

46. **Toronto Raptors**: David Johnson

47. **Toronto Raptors**: Amar Sylla

48. **Atlanta Hawks**: Herb Jones

49. **Brooklyn Nets**: AJ Lawson

50. **Philadelphia 76ers**: Aaron Henry

51. **Memphis Grizzlies**: Neemias Queta

52. **Detroit Pistons**: Greg Brown

53. **New Orleans Pelicans**: Filip Petrusev

54. **Indiana Pacers**: Jericho Sims

55. **Oklahoma City Thunder**: Santi Aldama

56. **Charlotte Hornets**: Vrenz Blijenbergh

57. **Charlotte Hornets**: Duane Washington

58. **New York Knicks**: Justin Champagnie

59. **Brooklyn Nets**: Daishen Nix

60. **Indiana Pacers**: Sam Hauser

 

[Max.]

Players Comparisons for the Top 10 prospects of the 2021 NBA Draft

Colin Ward-Henninger released an article tonight on CBS Sports where he listed 3 player comparisons for each of the Top 10 prospects of the 2021 NBA Draft, listing their "ceiling", "floor" & "sweet spot".

# 1. Cade Cunningham

* **Ceiling:** Luka Doncic
* If Cunningham hits his absolute ceiling, he could be a Doncic-level one-man offense & perennial MVP candidate.
* **Floor:** Nicolas Batum
* If Cunningham's playmaking doesn't quite translate and his shooting isn't quite as good... he could have a career like Batum's -- an extremely useful point-forward with passing skills and a high basketball IQ who's a borderline All-Star at times, but never quite reaches the next level of stardom.
* **Sweet spot:** Early Grant Hill
* Cunningham's playmaking might not ever make it to Doncic levels, so a more reasonable comp might be early Grant Hill
* Grant Hill averaged 21.6 points, 7.9 rebounds & 6.3 assists over his first 6 NBA seasons before injuries ravaged his career.

# 2. Evan Mobley

* **Ceiling:** Anthony Davis
* Mobley can be a Defensive Player of the Year candidate while providing incredible versatility offensively with ball-handling & shooting for his size. When people talk about Mobley as the best player in the class, they probably see a Davis-like future for him.
* **Floor:** Taller Larry Nance Jr.
* There's a world in which Mobley's skills never fully develop, and he ends up as a mobile, athletic big who's a good rebounder, capable of playmaking and ball-handling, but not quite strong enough to be a force in the middle.
* **Sweet spot:** Bam Adebayo
* If he never becomes a true threat from 3-point range & his shot-blocking doesn't reach Anthony Davis levels, Mobley could settle into a career as an All-Star who's more of a 1B than a 1A in terms of being *the guy* on a championship contender.

# 3. Jalen Green

* **Ceiling:** Clyde Drexler
* If Green continues to add weight and improve his ball-handling & playmaking skills (which he's done consistently in his career thus far), he could approximate Clyde the Glide's rebounding & assist numbers as well. It's going to take a lot of growth, but Green's upside is that of an All-NBA scoring guard and eventual Hall of Famer.
* **Floor:** Jordan Clarkson
* At the very least, Green will be a super-athletic bucket-getter who turns into a perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate. This will be his destiny if his playmaking skills never quite develop & his shooting is streakier than expected.
* **Sweet spot:** Zach LaVine
* A relentless, prolific scoring 2-guard who can occasionally fill in as your primary playmaker seems like about where Green will end up. His elite athleticism is on par with LaVine's, and he could have a similar trajectory in terms of improving his efficiency & gaining accolades as his career goes along.

# 4. Jalen Suggs

* **Ceiling:** Gary Payton
* Suggs has the potential to be a dominant defensive guard like "The Glove," and his ability to push in transition is reminiscent of prime Payton with the SuperSonics. Suggs' 3-point shooting might never become elite, but Payton proved you can still have a Hall of Fame career & average over 20 points per game even without consistently knocking down 3s.
* **Floor:** Derrick White
* It's hard to imagine Suggs having a worse career path than White, who is still developing but has established himself as a starting-caliber combo guard. Both are potential lockdown defenders who can score & distribute offensively.
* **Sweet spot:** Malcolm Brogdon
* A big guard who takes care of the ball, gets after it defensively and develops into a solid 3-point shooter seems like a reasonable expectation for Suggs, who could be slightly better in transition than Brogdon. Overall, that kind of impact on both sides of the ball would probably lead him into the All-Star/borderline All-Star range, which seems realistic.

# 5. Scottie Barnes

* **Ceiling:** Draymond Green
* An elite defender who can theoretically guard 1 through 5, Barnes will need to prove that he's capable of playing small-ball center on both sides of the floor. Shooting is going to be an issue, but it has been for Green throughout his career. The question is whether Barnes' playmaking can ever reach Green's level to compensate for the lack of consistent production from 3-point range.
* **Floor:** James Johnson
* If Barnes' defense isn't quite at All-NBA levels & his playmaking isn't even close to Draymond's, he could eventually wind up as a player like Johnson -- someone who can guard multiple positions, handle the ball and bring energy, but drifts in and out of the rotation based on matchups.
* **Sweet spot:** OG Anunoby
* He could end up a lot like Anunoby -- but probably with less 3-point prowess & more playmaking ability. The commonality is the ability to absolutely lock down defensively & fit into essentially any lineup configuration.

# 6. Jonathon Kuminga

* **Ceiling:** DeMar DeRozan
* A superior athlete with an NBA body & plenty of room to grow, the hope for whoever drafts Kuminga is that he eventually develops his jumper to the point of consistency, much like DeRozan has done over the course of his career. Kuminga may never be a prominent 3-point shooter, but DeRozan has proven that you can still be an All-Star without that skill, as long as you can hit your mid-range jumpers and get to the rim. DeRozan also serves as a nice blueprint for Kuminga's potential development as a playmaker.
* **Floor:** Jeff Green
* If Kuminga's skills don't develop, he could travel a similar path as a good rotation player who can't quite rise to much more.
* **Sweet spot:** Rudy Gay
* There's a chance that Kuminga will develop into a consistent 20-point-per-game scorer, much like Gay early in his career, but the efficiency & contributions to winning might be lacking. In order for Kuminga to get to Gay's level, he'll need to refine his mid-range game and improve on his free throw percentage, since he drew fouls at a solid rate in the G League.

# 7. James Bouknight

* **Ceiling:** Jamal Murray
* Aesthetically, Bouknight's game is very similar to Murray's in terms of his ability to create space with hesitations and step-backs. The question is whether Bouknight can develop into the off-the-dribble 3-point shooter & playmaker that Murray has become, but the foundation appears to be there.
* **Floor:** Malik Monk
* Monk is far from done developing, but so far he's been an incredibly inconsistent bucket-getter who induces equal sentiments of awe and frustration. That could eventually be the description for Bouknight given his potential for low efficiency & average playmaking ability.
* **Sweet spot:** Terrence Ross
* Ross has developed into one of the league's premier bench scorers, which could be close to Bouknight's destiny. His athleticism & shot creation will allow him to thrive in almost any system, but there could be a few too many nights when he struggles with efficiency & defense to make him a full-time starter.

# 8. Moses Moody

* **Ceiling:** Khris Middleton
* Middleton came into the league as a prospect that supposedly lacked upside, and he developed into an All-Star & the 2nd-best player on a championship team. That's in the cards for Moody, who's received similar criticism about a low ceiling, if everything aligns. His shooting, defense & playmaking potential are enough to get you excited about his future.
* **Floor:** Reggie Bullock
* There's a chance that Moody's ball-handling and shot creation don't translate to the NBA, and he's designated to more of a spot-up role, like Bullock. In that case he'd be a knock-down shooter & a solid defender who could have a long career as a low-end starter or coming off the bench.
* **Sweet spot:** Mikal Bridges
* At 6-6 with freakishly long arms, Moody & Bridges share a similar profile as 3-and-D-plus modern wings. Moody could grow into that as well, particularly if he's drafted by a team that doesn't need him to carry a huge offensive load to start his career.

# 9. Josh Giddey

* **Ceiling:** Reggie Theus
* The Pete Maravich comp is just begging to be thrown out there, but Giddey is just nowhere near that type of scorer. Theus might predate some of you out there, but he was a 6-7 guard who averaged 18 points & 6 assists for his career, earning 2 All-Star selections. Like Giddey, he wasn't a superior athlete & was never a pure shooter, but he made some truly spectacular passes & is currently 29th on the NBA career assists list.
* **Floor:** Evan Turner
* A point-forward whose ceiling was limited due to his inability to develop a consistent jumper, Turner could be a decent comp for Giddey if his shooting doesn't come along. Just like Turner, Giddey's playmaking & transition passing will keep him in the league for a long time, but the upside isn't as high if he can't make shots.
* **Sweet spot:** LaMelo Ball
* Technically, Giddey is a forward, but in his realized form he'd essentially be the point guard, running the show with dazzling passes in both transition & the halfcourt, just like Ball. The questions facing Giddey are the same that face Ball -- defense & 3-point shooting -- but both have the chance to be truly special players.

# 10. Alperen Şengün

* **Ceiling:** DeMarcus Cousins
* Sengun absolutely dominated the Turkish Super League as an 18-year-old largely due to his wide array of post moves and aggression in the paint. In order to reach his ceiling, which some draft evaluators think he can, he'll need to continue to develop his playmaking skills like Cousins did. Cousins was an absolutely dominant interior scorer and rebounder, and Sengun shares that skill set. The game-changers will be if he improves his passing and if he can eventually stretch to the 3-point line.
* **Floor:** Willy Hernangomez
* Hernangomez has proven to be a legitimate post scorer in his 5-year NBA career, but his lack of shooting, playmaking & defensive versatility make it hard for him to stay on the court consistently. If he doesn't develop those skills, Sengun could be headed down the same road.
* **Sweet spot:** Jonas Valanciunas
* Even in an NBA where post-ups are largely considered inefficient, Valanciunas has found a place for bully ball and put together a productive career. Sengun can be equally as devastating in the post and on the offensive boards if he continues to develop his body & skills, which should make him an effective big man for years to come even if he never quite becomes the passer & shooter his profile suggests he might.

 

[42 Monks]

kai

 

[Organic Trees]

Hm so Mobley is interested in Cleveland

 

[Flex Luger]

 

[FukkaPaidEmail]

Weaver just ain’t gonna make this an easy 3 days is he